CANNABIS plants worth more than £600,000 have been seized from a rented house in south Belfast.
Around 1,500 plants were found at the house on Boucher Road on Wednesday evening.
PSNI Detective Inspector Adam Ruston said the "profitable and complex" cannabis factory had been operating for more than a year.
"Those responsible are, of course, only interested in lining their own pockets, with no thought whatsoever for those adversely affected by their financial gain," he said.
"Some people think that cannabis is harmless – this is simply not true. Like other illegal drugs, it can damage both physical and mental health, causing harm and hurt to individuals and their loved ones.
"The consequences can be heart-breaking.
"We would advise landlords to make thorough checks of any potential tenants before letting their property, and to look out for tell-tale signs that a house is being used for such activity."
He appealed to anyone with information to contact police on 101.
